Mumbai: The long-awaited Mumbai-Goa cruise will set out on its maiden trip on October 24. The ship, named Angriya , will leave Mumbai (Bhaucha Dhakka) at 4.30 p.m. and arrive in Goa at 9.30 a.m. the following morning.
The cruise has been in the pipeline for several months. Nitin Dhond, managing director of Angriya Sea Eagle Pvt. Ltd., said the inspiration for the cruise came from the ships that used to ferry between Mumbai and Goa in the 1960s and ’70s.
“The first ship I saw was Konkan Shakti , one of the four ships that used to ply between Mumbai and Goa. I vividly remember the informal entertainment and singing on board,” he said.
Mr. Dhond said he wanted to re-create some of those experiences. Also, “what it means to be out in the sea is an experience many want to have.”
The cruise ship, which used to be a passenger ship in Japan, has 104 rooms from dormitories to suites. Its carrying capacity is 400, but Mr. Dhond said initially, they will restrict the number of passengers to 350.
The dormitories, which will have bunk beds, will cost ₹6,000, while couple rooms will cost ₹10,000. The journey will take 17 hours and the fare is inclusive of food.
Executive vice chairman Leena Prabhu said the cruise is not transport; it is an experience. “We feel there is an aspirational class that would want to experience this as well as senior citizens for whom it would be nostalgic,” she said. Ms. Prabhu said they will not be operating during the monsoon since sea sickness will be a major concern.
